Watercraft



Aug. 15; 1967 .1.c. WRIGHT WATERCRAFT Filed Aug. 1v, 1965 United States Patent 3,335,692 WATERCRAFT John Corbett Wright, 14 Douglas Ave., Gosforth, Northumberland, England Filed Aug. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 480,268 Claims. (Cl. 11S- 19) This invention relates to watercraft of the type comprising a hull supported and propelled by two series of rotating float elements, one series at each side of the hull, which are driven from a suitable power source within the hull by transversely extending shafts, those parts of the floats which are immersed having such buoyancy as to contribute to the support of the hull, at least the upper parts of the floats (which have .a movement in the same direction or with a component of motion in the same direction as that of the hull) being above the surface of the water. The float elements serve to lift the hull above the surface of the water when moving at speed (hereinafter called a higher speed) which lcreates under resistance of the water reactions upon the several oat elements having Vertical component forces sufficient to raise the weight of the craft. Watercraft adapted to be thus supported and propelled will hereinafter be called watercraft of the type stated.

According to my British Patent No. 1,003,821, a watercraft of the type stated has its hull mounted with its bottom high in relation to the lower parts of the rotating oat elements, and has below the hull at least one buoyancy tank capable of being moved, by hydraulic or mechanical means, between a lowered position in which it is located between the lower parts of the rotating float elements to assist in buoyantly supporting the hull, particularly when the craft is not under propulsion or is moving at low speed, and a raised position close to the bottom of the hull, particularly when the craft is under propulsion at higher speed, as above referred to. The bottom of the hull may be located sufficiently below the plane of the axes of the drive shafts as to permit housing within the hull of such parts ofthe rdrive means as are required or desirably to be protected from water.

More particularly the complete specification of my said British patent refers to a watercraft as aforesaid, wherein the series of rotating float elements at each side of the hull comprises two or more externally polygonal or cylindrical rotary hollow rollers, mounted on shafts extending laterally from the hull, and arranged to be driven by a suitable train of gears or by endless chain, 4belt or like means. Further, there is described with reference to drawings which accompanied lthe complete specification, an embodiment wherein said rotary hollow rollers are hexagonal, each of six fiat plates forming the periphery thereof having at its end which trails, relative to the direction of rotation for forward propulsion, a projecting end which serves as a paddle.

I have found that such hexagonal or other polygonal embodiment of the rotary hollow roller, while being an effective propeller, can be hydrodynamically improved, with aview to affording smoother entrance into the water, passage therethrough and emergence therefrom, so that, for example,in comparison with said arrangement as illustrated in my said British Patent No. 1,003,821 a rotary element nearer the forward end of the craft leaves a trail of less disturbed water and does not reduce the effectiveness of a rotary element nearer the after end.

According to the present invention, I provide a watercraft of the type stated, wherein the series of rotating' oat elements at each side of the hull comprises two' or more hollow rotary elements, mounted on shafts extending laterally from the hull, and arranged to be driven by means disposed within the hull, each of said rotary ele- 3,335,692 Patented Aug. 15, 1967 r6 ICC ments having a plurality of eccentric buoyant projections with curved eccentric peripheral surfaces, the trailing deeper end of each surface being connected to the leading, shallower end of the next following surface by a re-entrant surface portion.

The effect of this mode of construction is to provide a hollow rotary element which affords Variable buoyancy and a succession of lifting and forwardly propelling impulses in the course of its rotation.

The number of eccentric buoyant projections on each rotor may be `two or more, depending on the size of the rotor and the speed or range of speeds at which it is to be driven.

An embodiment of a watercraft according to this invention will be hereinafter described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a watercraft,

FIG. 2 is a plan view, and

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the same.

In this embodiment, as shown in the drawings, a hull 2, having a super-structure 3, is mounted on two systems of hollow rotary elements, there being provided at each side of the hull a forward element 4 and a rearward element 4A. Each of these elements comprises three like accentric buoyant projections 5, 6, 7 and 5A, 6A and 7A. The outer surface of each projection is formed by a plate 8 which is arcuate about an axis parallel to and spaced from a shaft 9 or 9A on which the rotor is mounted. The trailing end 10 of each plate 8 is joined by a flat plate 11 and a small curve 12 to the leading end 13 of the next following plate (in the normal direction of rotation, for forward propulsion), each of said flat plates 11 being oblique lto a radial plane of the shaft axis so that its outer end trails relative to its inner end. The tricorn side plates of the elements formed as shown in FIG. 1 have .axial circular apertures whereat each pair is interconnected yby a cylindrical wall 14, so that the structure as a whole constitutes a watertight, buoyant, hollow element. Said wall |14 is mounted on a disc 15 which is secured to the driving shaft, 9 or 9A.

The shafts 9, 9A are mounted in pedestal bearings 16 internally on the flat bottom 17 of the hull 2, and in suitable bearings 18 in the sides of the hull. They are interconnected, so as to be capable of driving in unison, by bevel gears 19 to a longitudinal shaft 20. The after shaft 9A is suitably geared to the driving shaft of a motor 21. So that the rotary elements on one side, or a single one of said elements, may be driven at a slower speed or immobilised or reversed, said Ibevel gears 19 may be differential gears. Alternatively, so that the drive to one or more of the rotors may be interrupted, each of the halfshafts 9, 9A may include a clutch 22.

The rotary e-lements 4, 4A may be provided with covers which pr-otect them from impact with other vessels or when coming alongside a quay or jetty, which prevent throwing off of water at high speed, and which may also afford out-rigger bearings for the shafts, so providing irnproved support for the rotors. For example there may be provided, as also disclosed in my said British patent L- section casings secured to each side of the hull over the rotary elements, the upper webs of said casings being horizontal between the vertical transverse planes of the rotor shafts, so as to provide additional deck area or lateral promenades, and curving at their ends around the rotaryelements. The outer vertical webs of these casings may extend downwards to or nearly to the static water line, and may further afford mountings for bearings in which extended outer ends of the transverse shafts are journalled.

natively be lfitted with fins in at least one plane transverse to the shafts for facilitating steering or the maintenance of a straight course. Either the forward or the after pair of rotors may be mounted on vertical pivots enclosing universal shaft joints at the sides of the hull (for example said joints then being formed, within the bearings 18 which define the vertical pivots) so as to be turnable (in the manner of the steering wheels of a road vehicle) for steering of the watercraft.

Further as shown in the drawings there is located below the hull 2 a buoyancy tank 38, of relatively shallow depth and having such length and breadth as to extend beneath substantially the whole of the flat bottom 17 of the hull. Said buoyancy tank is mounted by mechanical means, such as two pairs of screw jacks 40, 41 located towards the bow and stern of the hull (or by equivalent hydraulic means) so as to be capable of displacement, from within the hull, between a lowered position 38A as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which it is located between the lower parts of the rotary elements 4, 4A to assist in buoyantly supporting the hull, particularly when the craft is not under propulsion or is moving at low speed, and a raised position close to the bottom 17 of the hull, particularly when the craft is under propulsion at higher speed. Said buoyancy tank 38 may have a hydroplane form to assist its own emergence from the surface of the water (if initially wholly or to a large extent submerged) as the speed of propulsion increases and prior to its being raised by the screw jacks 40 to its upper position.

There may be provided, along each side of the bottom of the hull, skirt plates depending at least to the static water line, so as to enclose the buoyancy tank in a compartment upon or over relatively undisturbed water, and to prevent water being thrown on to the upper surface of said tank by the rotary e-lements.

The effect of the formation of the rotary elements 4, 4A with eccentric buoyant porti-ons is to provide a succession of lifting and propulsive forces in the course of rotation. The position of the element 4 (likewise that of the element 4A) as seen in FIG. 1, with the trailing end 10 of one projection 5 (or 5A) just leaving the water and the arcuate periphery of the following projection 6 (or 6A) just immersed, affords `a minimum degree of buoyancy which solely for comparison, may be stated as approximately arbitrary units. After rotation through 15, the deeper immersion of said following projection 6 (or 6A) affords approximately 40 units of buoyancy, a further 30 affords about 65 units, yet another 30 affords a maximum of about 70 units, and after a further 30 the buoyancy is reduced to about 16 units and then reverts to the minimum of about 10 units. This cycle of variation of the buoyancy repeats itself for each projection in succession, and three times for each revolution of the rotary element.

Furthermore, from the first angular entry of each arcuate surface 8 into the Water, its eccentric location relative to the shaft 9 or 9A, its angular displacements has a carnlike effect which affords a further dynamic lifting component, as well as a forward propulsive component, of the force which the rotary element exerts. The propulsive effect may be substantially increased by the provision of at Ileast one transversely extending fin, for example, a n 24 located at the tip Kor trailing end of each surface 8. The ns 24 may be small, and may be formed by extensions of the flat plates 11, bent slightly as shown. Other, like transverse ns may be provided on the surfaces 8 in spaced relationship to the fins 24. The tractive effect of the substantially radial surfaces 11 also adds to the total of the propulsive force.

A watercraft according to the invention, when driven by power means, such as an internal combustion engine or steam engine, may be adapted to serve as a passenger and/or cargo-carrying vessel, or as a towing boat. Alternatively, for use as a pleasure craft, or in a small embodiment for a child or children, the rotors may be arranged for human propulsion, for example by means of bicycle cranks and chain drive.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A watercraft of the type stated, wherein the series of rotary float elements at each side of the hull cornprises two or more hollow rotary elements, shafts extending laterally from the hull and arranged to be driven by means disposed within the hull, on which shafts said rota-ry elements are mounted, each of said rotary elements having a plurality of buoyant projections and each of said projections having a curved eccentric peripheral surface portion and a regentrant surface portion connecting the trailing deeper end of each peripheral surface portion to the leading, shallower end of the next following surface portion.

2. A watercraft of the type stated, wherein the series of rotary float elements at each side of the hull cornprises two or more hollow rotary elements, shafts extending laterally from the hull and arranged to be driven by means within the hull, said rotary elements being mounted on said shafts, each of said rotary elements having a plurality of buoyant projections, each of said projections having a curved eccentric peripheral surface portion and a re-entrant surface portion connecting the trailing, deeper end of each peripheral -surface portion to the leading, shallow end of the next following peripheral surface portion, the craft hull being mounted with its bottom high in relation to the lower parts of the rotary float elements, and at least one buoyancy tank being located below the hull and movable between a lowered position in which it is located between the lower parts of the rolling float elements to assist in buoyantly supporting the hull, and a raised portion close to the bottom of the hull, means being connected between the tank and the hull for said movement of the tank.

3. A watercraft as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of buoyant projections of each of said hollow rotary elements in afforded by a pair of side plates, each having horn-shaped portions, an outer surface plate, which is eccentric to the shaft axis and arcuate about an axis parallel to and spaced from said shaft axis, serving to connect the edges of each congruent pair of said horn-shaped portions, each to provide one of said eccentric peripheral surface portions and an inwardly extending flat plate connecting further edges of said horn-shaped portions and forming part of said re-entrant surface portion, which flat plate joins the trailing end of said arcuate plate to the' leading end of the arcuate surface plate of the next following projection.

4. A watercraft as claimed in claim 3, wherein a concavely curved plate portion of small radius joins the inner end of said flat plate and said leading end of the arcuate plate of the next following projection.

5. A watercraft as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of said flat plates is oblique to a radial plane of the shaft axis so that its outer end trails relative to its inner end.

6. A watercraft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pair of side plates of each of said rotary elements have axial circular apertures, a cylindrical wall connecting the peripheries of the side plates, and at least one disc, secured to the shaft, on which said wall is mouthed.

7. A watercraft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer end of each of said flat plates is extended beyond the trailing end of the arcuate plate to which it is joined, to provide a transversely extending propulsive n.

8. A watercraft of the type stated, wherein the series of rotary float elements at each lside of the hull comprises two or more hollow rotary elements, shafts extending laterally from the hull and arranged to be driven by means within the hull, said rotary elements being mounted on said shafts, each of said rotary elements having a plurality of buoyant projections and each of said projections being formed by a pair of side plates, having congruent horn-shaped portions, an outer surface plate which is eccentric to the shaft axis and is curved about an axis parallel to and spaced from said shaft axis serving to connect the edges of said horn-shaped portions to provide an eccentric peripheral surface portion of the projection, an inwardly extending plate which is flat over at least a part of its radial extent connecting further edges of said horn-shaped portions and forming a re-entrant surface portion of the projection, said reent'rant portion joining the trailing end of said curved surface plate to the leading end of the curved surface plate of the next following projection.

9. A watercraft as claimed in claim 8, having its hull mounted with its `bottom high in relation to the lower parts of the rotary oat elements, and having below the hull at least one buoyancy tank capable of being moved, between a lowered position in which it is located between the lower parts of the rolling float elements to assist in buoyantly supporting thc hull, and a raised position close to the bottom of the hull, and means within the hull for mooring said buoyancy tank.

10. A Watercraft as claimed in claim 9, wherein said buoyancy tank has the form of a hydroplane to assist its own emergence to the surface of the water when initially wholly or to a large extent submerged, as the speed of the propulsion of the craft increases and prior to said tank being raised to its upper position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,049,661 1/1913 Bretney 115-19 1,569,392 1/1926 Raiaelli 11S-19 1,701,925 2/ 1929 Kisevalter 115--19 3,202,124 8/1965 Calafat Mas 115-19 3,237,589 3/1966 De Biasi 115-19 FOREIGN PATENTS 472,938 12/ 1914 France. 371,823 6/ 1939 Italy.

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

ANDREW H. FARRELL, Examiner. 

1. A WATERCRAFT OF THE TYPE STATED, WHEREIN THE SERIES OF ROTARY FLOAT ELEMENTS AT EACH SIDE OF THE HULL COMPRISES TWO OR MORE HOLLOW ROTARY ELEMENTS, SHAFTS EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM THE HULL AND ARRANGED TO BE DRIVEN BY MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN THE HULL, ON WHICH SHAFTS SAID ROTARY ELEMENTS ARE MOUNTED, EACH OF SAID ROTARY ELEMENTS HAVING A PLURALITY OF BUOYANT PROJECTIONS AND EACH OF SAID PROJECTIONS HAVING A CURVED ECCENTRIC PERIPHERAL SURFACE PORTION AND A RE-ENTRANT SURFACE PORTION CONNECTING THE TRAILING DEEPER END OF EACH PERIPHERAL SURFACE PORTION TO THE LEADING, SHALLOWER END OF THE NEXT FOLLOWING SURFACE PORTION. 